There's got to be something dodgy there. Especially considering Hauraki manages to surface often enough despite poor performances.

Cross certainly aint set the world alight, but he's been a damn site better than Weller. So I can't see performances been the deciding factor on selection in Cross case.

there has to be something behind the scenes i would agree. also why is bailey continually overlooked? something happening there too?

I say get rid at first chance! Widnes? Bulls? Fax? Crusaders? Back to Oz! Couldn't give a fook. Would rather have ambler and Amor around the club!

Cross is light years in front of Wellar, but Kirke is light years in front of the pair of them! So that shows where we are with the 2 new signings. Both have been given fair cracks of the whip with game time, they just haven't produced the goods to warrant inclusion.

I can't see Wellars re-introduction lasting long epsecially with 3 better second rowers (Clarkson, Pitts, Ali) all back or nearly back. His performance last week was probably one of his better efforts but even in this case his weaknesses in defence were well exposed. He missed his first one-on-one front on tackle when we were camped in our 20 and he was at fault for the only try we leaked.

Six into four doesn't go, hence the lack of game time for both Cross and Bailey.

The four front rowers who have the job currently are all going well, no reason to suggest either of those missing out would be able to come in and do better.

Might be worth rotating one of them out this week though, either Leuluai or Burgess.

I think that sums it up nicely. However only half way through the season and I'm sure we will need the well rested Cross & Bailey at some stage.

Agree cross hasn't been great but has been alot better than weller

Hauraki is getting selected because of injuries - no Ali, no McGuire, No Clarkson, who is available who should be playing instead of him?

Well Pitts this week for one. Couldn't Cross be back in and Kirke to backrow?

Nah, don't agree with that David. Hauraki is in because he's an overseas signing that they expected big things from. They want to perservere to get it right.

Pitts by a country mile. He can actually tackle!!

I think David is mostly right.

I think having pegged Kirke as prop that is where they want him used.

I also think Hauraki's selection was more about his go forward from the bench (which is good) rather than him being an overseas signing. Why on earth would you reach that conclusion when they have shown they have no hesitation in leaving quota players out?

However, when other options are available Hauraki will find himself on the outer again if he cannot improve his defence.

Which backrower is missing then that will determine whether Hauraki is not in the squad? Pitts and .......?

Who's more deserving of a spot based on last month, Hauraki or Pitts?

Cross was not a McDermott signing, he was a McLennan signing with GH. Hauraki was a McDermott signing. I shouldn't need to explain the difference in leaving out.

the Hauraki deal was started when bluey was still in charge. it only went on for so long because of crusaders administration problems

I'll go along with that. But there is no mistaking the fact that didn't McDermott make a less than positive comment about Cross before the season had even begun? Commenting on he did not know what role he was going to play.

After the New Year's Day game with Wakefield:

Coach McDermott admitted he hasn’t seen much of Cross in match action and he said: “I don’t know if he will give us any more than what we saw, but what I do think is he will give us that every single week – which is invaluable. He looks to be a straight up and down type of player, but reliable with it. He seems to have settled in.”

Before Hauraki's debut at Hull:

Coach McDermott predicted Hauraki will “enhance our competition and enhance our club”, but he stressed: “We have to be careful we don’t expect too much from Weller – and he doesn’t expect too much from himself. He will have the frustration of missing the pre-season games and the first league match pent up inside him and he has got to be careful he doesn’t go out too hard and blow his own legs off in the first 10 minutes.”

With the final comment you can clearly see the benefits of having an ex-marine in charge.

Indeed I still stop and ponder the paragraph from jp's book where as a nieve lad he asks mac if he killed anyone in the gulf war! Mac stared into space and said slowley "I don't wanna talk about it" !say what you like about mac, he's done and seen $hit that would have most of us crying likes bitches pi$$ing our pants.

I have total respect for him and I'm happy he's involved with Leeds again!

Yes, I saw Harlequins last year too.

[size=85(No disrespect to his military career. Couldn't resist the gag)[/size

Isn't it amazing how their fortunes have turned around now they've got rid of that rubbish coach who was supposedly leading them into a terminal decline?

What? Oh...

Anyone know if the game is on the radio tonight?

Sorry, I don't understand the question. I'd imagine Hauraki has been asked to play the role a fully fit Ali would play from the bench.

Pitts has shown better form in the previous two game but which "spot" are we talking about? Pitts played starting 2nd rower and he played it well. However, when JJB, Ablett and Clarkson are fit he ranks behind them. For go forward impact off the bench I can understand the rationale behind selecting Hauraki ahead of Pitts.

Look, all I am saying is Mcdermott has shown he is willing to leave out bothe Cross and hauraki so I fail to see how you can conclude he picked Hauraki only because he was an overseas signing. In any event, as has been shown, it would appear Cross and hauraki were GH signings, as are nearly all the players I would imagine.

Ok, understand what your saying. But what if you find Hauraki and Ali on the bench tonight? Is it then the right decision?

And moving on to that and not Just getting at Hauarki, why is Ali straight back in without proving himself again in the reserves?

IMO no. Then again maybe given the poor form shown by the opposition the coach thinks this might be an idea to get Ali some game time (fitness) and Hauraki a chance show any improvement in the defence. Also perhaps limit JJB and Ablett's game time for the two big games on the horizon.

You think Ali gets special treatment? Did he get special treatment at last year's CC Final?

TBH, what's the difference between throwing him in against Quins and playing him in the Academy?

The only reason, and most important for me, is that other players are more deserving.

He saves face by not having as many people watch him hobble off with another leg injury

Tonight is the perfect chance for Hauraki to improve and Ali to get game-time under his belt as G1 says but.....that's all fine and well as long as Pitts is straight back in next week imo.